About Us

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Gene and Marge Padgitt are veteran chimney restoration specialists. Their business, HearthMasters, Inc. was founded in 1982. It started out as a chimney sweeping and inspection business, but they soon added masonry, relining, masonry heaters, and brick ovens to the list of services. The company designs and builds masonry structures related to heating and cooking. 

Gene is a Missouri Licensed Private Fire Investigator and investigates structural fires related to chimneys and heating appliances. He is one of only a few such investigators in the country. Gene is an MHA Certified Heater Mason, CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, NFI Certified Gas Specialist, and has a degree in HVACR Technology. He has a Class DM Master Mechanical License in all jurisdictions in the greater Kansas City area. Gene is THE guy to call for solutions to problems related to heating, venting, and gas. 

Marge is a Missouri Licensed Private Investigator, and writes all of the fire investigation and inspection reports for HearthMasters. She is a  CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and NFI Certified Woodburning Specialist. She is the author of 14 books with more on the way. Marge has been a national industry instructor for 25 years, and served on the board of directors for the National Chimney Sweep Guild; Masonry Heater Association of North America; Midwest Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association; and the Midwest Chimney Safety Council. She has written over 200 articles for examiner.com, Masonry Construction Magazine, Sweeping Magazine, SNEWS Magazine and Wood-Fired Magazine. 

Gene and Marge are available for radio talk show interviews and do presentations for conventions and meetings.